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crimsoncor's review against another edition
4.0
Even more Enola Holmes-y than the first (the similarity was probably driven home by watching Enola Holmes 2 the same day I was reading this) with all the factory strike intrigue. But this is darker and grittier. The only problem with it is that it is so short. Novellas always feel like an appetizer without a full meal. Really hoping for more in this world
mjporterauthor's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free E-Arc from Netgalley. Thank you.
Having enjoyed Book 1 of this series, I was keen to read Book 2.
The story elements brought forward from Book 1 are more glimpsed than blatantly discussed, and although the story is just about interesting enough, it really did need to focus more on continuing the story begun in Book 1 than just rushing into something completely different. It was just too short to feel satisfying. A shame.
Having enjoyed Book 1 of this series, I was keen to read Book 2.
The story elements brought forward from Book 1 are more glimpsed than blatantly discussed, and although the story is just about interesting enough, it really did need to focus more on continuing the story begun in Book 1 than just rushing into something completely different. It was just too short to feel satisfying. A shame.
jesslynh's review against another edition
3.0
This lost two stars for being half a story. What was there was good, but the ending, IMO, was so abrupt that it might as well have stopped mid-sentence. Also--the book is super short. Isn't 160 pages a novella?
Don't get me wrong. As I said earlier, what is here is good. Ms. Newman knows how to tell a story. I read the book like I was watching a soap opera. I was yelling at the protagonist, knowing what was going to happen. All with the good feeling you get shoving popcorn in your mouth watching a character go into the basement in the dark where you KNOW they're going to get it.
I think I'd like to blame the publisher for what I feel are shortcomings. This should have either been serialized into short, cheaper chapter books (remember The Green Mile?) or it should have been held until all the books in the series were ready and released closer together.
So far, I've enjoyed the story, if not the delivery, enough that I'd buy audio and ebook versions, AND I plan to re-read the series in its entirety. I don't plan on buying any more books in the series until it's concluded. Then I'll get them all.
Don't get me wrong. As I said earlier, what is here is good. Ms. Newman knows how to tell a story. I read the book like I was watching a soap opera. I was yelling at the protagonist, knowing what was going to happen. All with the good feeling you get shoving popcorn in your mouth watching a character go into the basement in the dark where you KNOW they're going to get it.
I think I'd like to blame the publisher for what I feel are shortcomings. This should have either been serialized into short, cheaper chapter books (remember The Green Mile?) or it should have been held until all the books in the series were ready and released closer together.
So far, I've enjoyed the story, if not the delivery, enough that I'd buy audio and ebook versions, AND I plan to re-read the series in its entirety. I don't plan on buying any more books in the series until it's concluded. Then I'll get them all.
ebokhyllami's review against another edition
3.0
God, men kort. Industrial Magic-serien er mer lange noveller satt i system. Avsluttende for hver bok, men kun rundt 200 sider. Emma Newman leser bøkene sine inn selv. Det er IKKE en ulempe. Hun leser svært godt. Seriene hennes ligger på Storytel.
waclements7's review against another edition
4.0
Aargh! What a place to end. To be fair, it’s not a cliffhanger, really, except for— I really am wanting the next book. I think it would have helped to re-read Brother’s Ruin before starting this, because it took me a bit to get into it, but once I did, it was awesome. I am not so fond of Ben as I was, and I think Charlotte—hope—she realizes that a time may come when their being siblings isn’t as important to him being a Magus. And Magus Hopkins v. George? Oh dear. I really like the way that Newman portrayed the mill work in such a realistic fashion. The added interference only emphasizes how inhumane the situation was for factory workers during the Industrial Revolution (and actually still is for garment workers in many countries). The fact that Ben knows all of this and it doesn’t really matter to him makes me think I’m not going to like his character for much longer. But his transformation from someone weak and powerless to someone who is gaining control and respect, regardless of the cost or consequences to others, is really well done. He explains his perspective quite coherently, and it all makes sense—to him. Charlotte is still much smarter than him, however, and the fact that she figures out the issue at much risk to herself (that really made me want to bop Ben’s head against a loom) shows that the “higher ups” often can’t get things solved because they aren’t willing to get down and do the work themselves. And what is Project 84?
titusfortner's review
4.0
I didn't find this one quite on the same level as the first, but this series has a lot of potential, and I'm really hoping there are more of these stories.
kazalicious's review
4.0
3.5/5 stars. One series that I wish was in novel form instead of short stories. The world is exciting and captivating and we get enough of a glimpse in these stories to simply want more.
snazel's review
5.0
The fact that book three has yet to be announced makes me WILD. I need to know how this all pans out. I care about everyone so much!
Wait, that's not true. MC's brother can just take a long walk off a short pier and then think about what he's done. I mean, not that being scared of your boss is unwarranted, even idiots with no moral centres or eyes in their head (LIKE YOU, BROTHER, I AM DESCRIBING YOU) can see that.
So mostly I care about our tutor, and these workers, they had better be fine or I will have to crawl through time and fix this personally.
Wait, that's not true. MC's brother can just take a long walk off a short pier and then think about what he's done.
Spoiler
You sent your sister to work in a mill! A mill you knew was stealing wisps of souls off of the workers! A mill with multiple fatalities! A mill that works SIXTEEN HOURS A DAY. YOU SENT YOUR SISTER TO WORK IN A COTTON MILL, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, BECAUSE YOU WERE SCARED OF YOUR BOSS.So mostly I care about our tutor, and these workers, they had better be fine or I will have to crawl through time and fix this personally.
riccii's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
spestock's review
3.0
The actual plot, especially as revealed in the climax, was too complicated for such a short novella, but the atmosphere and world-building were as top-notch as in the first book in the series.